DuPage County Identity Theft Defense Lawyers
Safeguarding Your Legal Rights and Reputation
Because instances of internet crime and identity theft have risen dramatically in recent years, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors have increasingly focused resources on pursuing identity theft offenses in DuPage County and the surrounding areas of Illinois. If you or a family member is convicted of identity theft, you can face harsh penalties that include:
- Jail/imprisonment;
- Staggering fines;
- Misdemeanor/felony record;
- Restitution; and/or
- Probation.
These formal court imposed penalties can pale in comparison to the more lasting consequences associated with a conviction. If you are convicted of identity theft, your criminal record could impede your pursuit of jobs, rental housing, professional licenses, immigration benefits and a higher education.
Nationally Recognized Illinois Criminal Defense Lawyers
When your future is clouded by an arrest and the prospect of a criminal prosecution, your family, financial future, reputation and liberty are all placed in jeopardy. Because the stakes are high, you cannot afford to entrust your future to a lawyer who has anything less than an exemplary reputation and decades of experience. At Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C., our DuPage County identity theft lawyers have obtained national prominence through the single-minded pursuit of the best possible outcome for our clients.
Our law firm does not hesitate to represent clients facing difficulty odds and significant notoriety. Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. has been featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, COURT-TV, FOX and other media sources because of our success in handling complex and sophisticated criminal cases. Our founding partner Donald Ramsell has been awarded a 10.0 rating by AVVO along with multiple acknowledgments as a "Super Lawyer” and “Leading Lawyer." Our firm has been fighting for individuals against the potentially oppressive power of the state for over two decades.
Explaining Identity Theft in Illinois
Illinois law defines identity theft as the use of a form of identification belonging to another person to obtain money, services, goods or credit. If you furnish or sell identity information of a person to a third party, this also constitutes identity theft under Illinois law. Charges of identity theft often arise in the context of allegations of financial fraud. Examples of scenarios that might lead to a charge of identity theft might include using personal information to obtain a credit card in another person’s name or applying for a job while using a social security number that does not belong to you.
If you are arrested for identity theft in Illinois, the crime can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on a number of factors that include the value of the property/money/services, the type of victim and your past criminal history. If you are arrested for identity theft, you should refuse to talk to the police and immediately assert your right to an attorney. The potential penalties for this Illinois theft offense can be extremely harsh. If a person is charged with identity theft involving the theft of goods, services or money that exceeds $10,000, for example, the crime will be charged as a Class X Felony which can carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in state prison and/or a fine up to $25,000.
DuPage County Identity Theft Criminal Attorneys
Our DuPage County identity criminal defense lawyers have successfully defended many people charged with identity theft and related fraud and financial crimes. We invite you to call us today at 630-256-8001 or to contact us online to schedule your free consultation in our conveniently located office in Naperville. Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. also has offices in Wheaton and St. Charles or Rolling Meadows by appointment.
